New Delhi

India and Seychelles on Monday adopted a Joint Vision titled Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL) and exchanged a series of key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements spanning sectors such as health, maritime cooperation, digital innovation, capacity building, and cultural exchange.

The agreements were finalised during the state visit of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie to India, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Prime Minister Modi and President Herminie held in-depth discussions covering the entire range of bilateral ties. Both leaders reaffirmed that India and Seychelles, as maritime neighbours, share a long-standing and special relationship rooted in historical links, people-to-people connections, and common democratic values.

Prime Minister Modi also congratulated President Herminie on his victory in the October 2025 presidential election. The visit, taking place nearly 100 days after Herminie’s inauguration, coincides with two major milestones—the 50th anniversary of Seychelles’ Independence and five decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

As part of the visit, seven MoUs were signed. These include agreements on cooperation in pharmacopoeial standards in the health sector; technical and scientific collaboration between meteorological agencies; a Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2026–2030; collaboration on population-scale digital public infrastructure; ocean observation, maritime scientific research and data sharing; capacity-building training programmes for Seychelles civil servants; and the procurement of food items.

Several significant initiatives were also announced during the talks. Prime Minister Modi unveiled a Special Economic Package worth USD 175 million for Seychelles, comprising a USD 125 million rupee-denominated Line of Credit and USD 50 million in grant assistance, the MEA said.

The financial package is intended to support Seychelles’ development priorities, including public housing, transport and mobility, infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and maritime security.

India also announced a range of additional measures, including the free refit of patrol ship PS Zoraster for the Seychelles Coast Guard, the gifting of 10 ambulances, the supply of 1,000 metric tonnes of grains and lentils under the economic package, the provision of 10 utility vehicles and five Laser Radial-class boats with spares to the Seychelles Defence Force, and assistance in establishing a Seychelles Hydrographic Unit.

The MEA said the outcomes of the visit underscore the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthen their strategic partnership and advance sustainable development, economic growth, and maritime security through closer bilateral engagement.

During their discussions, the two leaders also highlighted the people-centric nature of India–Seychelles relations and their contribution to peace, security, and stability in the Western Indian Ocean region.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated Seychelles’ importance as a key pillar of India’s Vision MAHASAGAR—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. President Herminie, in turn, described India as a reliable and trusted partner for Seychelles and the wider region, and expressed appreciation for India’s consistent support for the island nation’s development.

Both leaders emphasised the need for closer collaboration on national development priorities and formally adopted the SESEL Joint Vision to guide future engagement.

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In a post on X, the MEA said the adoption of the SESEL Joint Vision reflects the shared determination of India and Seychelles to expand cooperation in sustainable development, economic growth, and security, while contributing to stability and prosperity across the Indian Ocean region.